And Here We Have Idaho

We took a quick trip to Idaho this month to celebrate my Grandma's 80th Birthday. Best of all, she though that just my dad and my aunt were coming to help her with some things, so all the rest of us were a surprise! We had a great time together with everyone.

This is the first time my camera has been on the roof to take a picture. Credit to Thomas for getting it up and down!

Katie loved playing "ball" with Grandpa.

Funny moment that captures my Grandma's personality ... We were hanging out in the kitchen when she came up with a handful of irridescent multicolored kitchen sponges. She said, "Here, pick a sponge!" "I thought these were so pretty and I've got loads of them, so pick your favorite color." Maybe it's just me, but I had to stiffle some giggles on that one. Thanks for the sponge Grandma. I will think of you whenever I use it.

On our way home, we decided to take in a bit of Yellowstone, since the last time we went Eleanor was 3 months old.



It was pouring rain about a half hour before this. Glad we waited!



Some amazing colors and scenery. We did see a buffalo, some elk, deer, birds, antelope, etc.

The sunset was hitting these mountians just as we were on our way out the east entrance. It was a really beautiful drive - at least that part of it...

Our Toddler

Katie has been so close to walking for a while now. When we came back from our trip to Idaho I think she was so glad to be out of the car that she started taking her first steps that night! Within a week she was all over the place.

Here's one little video of her, which are very hard to capture since she keeps trying to come grab my phone. Enjoy!

Summer Dessert

Mmm, here is what's for dessert tonight! Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls from my favorite recipe blog, Annie's Eats. Hope you're coming home early love!

What a deal!

There are far more momentous things I should be catching up on, but
this was too great to pass up.

We stopped by JCPenney this week to find some clothes for Gavin.  They
had an insane amount of things marked $2.97!!  Including khakis and
regularly $60 jeans!

By the end of this shopping trip I'd saved about 82% on everything I
bought. Great day, great tithing blessings!

North to Alaska

We just returned from a fabulous Alaskan cruise to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. Although it was a bit crazy to leave a half-unpacked house for Grandma and Grandpa, it couldn't have come at a better time. We loved having so much time together after a crazy spring.

Here is a small sample of the 1000 pictures I took on our trip! Enjoy!











We're hoping to get a prints section up on my photography website soon. I think several from the trip will make it there. We're trying to decide how many big canvases we can fit on our walls. Such a beautiful place is definitely like a playground for me. And Gavin is the best photog pit crew out there. You should see how fast that man can change a lens! You're awesome and incredibly patient honey!

Huge thanks to my parents for taking care of the kids for us! They did a great job and even had Katie saying "Grandpa" and "Grandma" by the time we got back. Thank you, thank you!

Birthday Pictures

It's been awhile since we've gone in for the free Kiddie Kandids birthday picture. Instead we've got a fun new tradition to have a photo shoot with Mom for your birthday. Ok, well... at least I think it's fun.
We put Eleanor's off a bit and then I got greedy and wanted to wait for things to green up a bit. Or pink up a bit as it turned out!


This photo shoot came together in about 10 minutes. "Look at that gorgeous tree!" "Oh good, you brushed your hair." "Hey, you're wearing your cute shirt, lets go take a picture!"
The sun is behind her, but the light reflecting off the house was just perfect for filling in the shadows.

She really is 7 now. It's a fun age this cross between growing up and still being a kid. I wish we could freeze this moment for a while. Thanks for holding still at least long enough for a picture!

Magnificent Mothers

I've been thinking about my mothers a lot lately. They are always contributing to the quality of our life and family, always willing to give of their experience and talents to help us. I realized that my relationships with my mother and my mother-in-law have changed a lot over the last ten years. Prior to that I was definitely in that stage, similar to a two-year-old, when I wanted to prove I could do it myself! Over the last ten years, we've come to realize how amazing these women are, how much knowledge they have, how much we want to spend time with them and have them to be a part of our lives.

Thank you for your tremendous examples and for your patience with our "I can do it myself" stage! Now, when my daughters become teenagers and I'm hopelessly uncool, I'll try to remember to look forward to their thirties, when suddenly I'll be all that again.



Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you both.